Post #9 is spot on. Chess does trace it's roots to India via Chaturanga. Furthermore, I have researched this topic before and have given lectures on this topic as well. It is worthy to note that many games are similar in nature to chess; however, it should also be noted that among similarities there are differences too. Chaturanga is not chess - it is the origin of chess (at least closest traced game corresponding to chess). Then again though, even chess is not chess meaning that "ancient" chess is nothing like "modern" play; sure computers influenced the game greatly, but it is deeper than that. It is really a different game, chess did not even get rules like castling until after the game spread to Europe. Even subtle rule changes like this changes the nature of the game greatly.